GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease resulted in persistently recurrent epigastric distress with symptoms of pyrosis, reflux, and nausea. However, the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not cause severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability and gastroesophageal reflux disease do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 21, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted, including a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected conditions. The initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residual scar associated with right knee disability were denied.

The Veteran's right knee status-post meniscus surgery and instability were not rated higher than the current 10 percent due to lack of limitation of motion or instability.,Right knee instability prior to February 10, 2020 was not rated higher than 10 percent as there was no objective evidence of moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Veteran's headaches are part of his service-connected undiagnosed illness/chronic fatigue syndrome and cannot be separated as a separate disability.,Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to the Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed illness/chronic fatigue syndrome, but rather is a separate condition that requires further examination for etiology.,The Veteran's back condition may be related to his military service and cumulative parachute jumps, but needs further examination to determine its etiology.,Service connection for a sleep disorder cannot be established without evidence linking the condition to the Veteran's military service. The Veteran's conceded noise exposure is also relevant.,Bilateral hearing loss requires further examination due to the Veteran's conceded noise exposure in service.,The right eye condition may be related to the Veteran's military service, particularly his conceded toxic exposure from Gulf War service.,Service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia cannot be established without evidence linking the conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete documentation of his Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, which may affect the determination of whether he qualifies for TDIU prior to September 7, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition other than GERD with irritable bowel syndrome and h-pylori was denied. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with irritable bowel syndrome and h-pylori was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right iliotibial band condition, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected right knee condition, remains pending due to the lack of a rationale in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal of his increased rating for GERD with Barrett's esophagus, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, service connection for GERD, respiratory disorder, basal cell carcinoma, and deviated septum are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The claims for glaucoma, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), right shoulder disability, and left femur disability are remanded due to the need for further examination and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold injury (claimed as frostbite) and stomach disorder (to include GERD).,The matter of service connection for a cardiac disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right heel spurs, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary issues, hypertension, hemorrhoids, acid reflux, bilateral tinea pedis, a disability of the lumbar or thoracic spine (upper back strain), and a headache disorder (migraines). The Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches and/or limitation of motion of the cervical spine, including the NSAIDs used for those conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than November 12, 2013, for the initial grant of service connection for GERD was denied as there is no evidence of a prior informal or formal claim before that date.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the impact of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, particularly his psychiatric disability, on his cause of death. The case is being remanded for an additional medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and awarded a 30 percent disability rating for hiatal hernia with GERD from August 1, 2017. The Veteran's esophageal stricture is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic acid reflux and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and dysthymic disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 2011.

The Veteran's Hepatitis B and GERD disabilities are rated at 10 percent, but the Board granted a higher rating of 30 percent based on persistent symptoms.